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Parker cops sniff for clues in $300K dog jewelry heist

By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 17, 2009 at 8:39 a.m.

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Parker police officers for now are taking at face value a jewelry salesman's contention that he was robbed at gunpoint of $300,000 worth of dog jewelry outside a Starbucks on Monday.

"We can't just say that it seems kind of far-fetched," Parker Police Captain Jim Tsurapas said this morning. "We're treating it as an armed robbery. We are going to pursue it to see if we can prove it or disprove it."

The salesman told police that he was in the Denver area for the Rocky Mountain Cluster Dog Show held last weekend at the National Western Stock Show complex.

The 64-year-old man, from Kansas City, Kan., said he stopped for coffee at a Starbucks at 9700 S. Parker Road and had just returned to his car when three men in masks suddenly appeared.

One of the men was carrying a gun, he told police.

The salesman said the three took three "tubs" of his jewelry and a handgun that he had in his briefcase.

Among the merchandise were bejeweled dog collars and other items.

Tsurapas said jewelry salesman try to stay as inconspicuous as possible, so carrying the jewelry in tubs could throw off any potential robbers, who might be looking for, say, a locked suitcase.

The salesman was the only witness to the robbery, say Parker police.

"We'll try to hook him up with a sketch artist today to see if he can remember what they look like," Tsurapas said. "What type of ski masks they had. Their faces were covered, it was pretty quick. We might not get too much of a description."

Police are also looking at surveillance videos in the immediate vicinity of the robbery.

Comments

  • February 17, 2009

    9:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Buckwheat writes:

    Scooby Doo be wanting some Bling Bling...

  • February 17, 2009

    9:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    davies writes:

    There once was a seller of rings
    Whose coffee break proved alarming.
    Three robbers took jogs
    With his jewelry for dogs
    Now Fido can’t show off his bling.

  • February 17, 2009

    9:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    chickenlittle1234 writes:

    Hmm, I wonder who holds the insurance policy for the bling? Interesting in these days of thrift - seems like this guy had some inventory he couldn't sell and maybe this hold up was a touch of convenient luck?

  • February 17, 2009

    9:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    B300 writes:

    LUCKY BAD GUYS, I might say convenient!

  • February 17, 2009

    9:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Buckwheat writes:

    Ya just wouldn't think there would be a big market for Dog Bling in this economy..I mean how many Paris Hiltons are out there anyway??

  • February 17, 2009

    9:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenGirl writes:

    They can't provide any description? We saw some suspicious people yesterday along Parker Rd. but closer to Aurora. I have a full description. Could be related? We already talked to the police. That is nice dog bling though... where's my diamond studded necklace?

  • February 17, 2009

    9:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BlahBlah writes:

    The fact he had $300k worth of doggie bling AFTER the show ended is proof of Buckwheat's statement.

    And DenGirl.. By "suspicious people," do you mean "Black" People? Or "Hispanic" People? Or "Jewish" People?

    Can you be more "specific?"

  • February 17, 2009

    10:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    squeakywheel writes:

    Also convenient that "The salesman was the only witness to the robbery."

    You all got it right. People aren't even getting dogs in this economy, so let alone the ridiculous jewelry.

    "We can't just say that it seems kind of far-fetched" (Note the word "just") so that indicates what they really think.

    OK if you REALLY need that caffeine fix dude, go through the drive-through window when you have that much inventory in the car.

    I'd love to see that sketch of three guys wearing ski masks. Priceless!

  • February 17, 2009

    10:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    leavemealone writes:

    Total sham

  • February 17, 2009

    10:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    280Pagoda writes:

    Could just be howling at the moon. Things like this happen when you run with the wrong pack.

  • February 17, 2009

    10:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dfirefox writes:

    I , for one do not believe this Kansas City's guy's story. Nothing ever happens in Parker,Co. Broad daylight and no one seen anything,no witnesses? Come on. Get real.
    If this guy is lying about the robbery ,I hope he pays for it .

  • February 17, 2009

    11:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rcamb writes:

    I know this man. He is not "a salesman"; he is an artist of the highest integrity. He loves animals (he rehabilitates birds and dogs at his shop). He is also a Catholic of the highest faith.

    His health is not good; his jewelry is exquisite. He has gone alone to shows despite his family's protests.

    He is vulnerable and you all should be ashamed of yourselves.

    Shame on you
    Roberta

  • February 17, 2009

    11:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DoubleA writes:

    Just proves that it's a dog eat dog world out there. Did the theives have a bone to pick with the guy? True, it does sound far fetched, and from the comments, people are barking at him for it. It may have been better for him to let sleeping dogs lay.

  • February 17, 2009

    12:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    vYRaL303 writes:

    how much ya wanna bet these robbers are from Kansas City and this 64 y/o is only looking to retire off the settlement?!?

  • February 17, 2009

    12:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dolorosoverita writes:

    Tomorrow's Headline:
    Kansas man arrested for filing false report. 'Nuf said.

  • February 17, 2009

    1:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Triumph writes:

    What the heck was he doing in Parker with that kind of ridicules amount of jewlery? And of all things "jewlery for dogs"?
    I guess the people here are just as nutty as the dog owners in Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

  • February 17, 2009

    1:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rcamb writes:

    Most of the jewelry is for the owners of the dogs. He was at a cluster dog show (that's one where different clubs sponsor a show each day). It is where he went to sell his wares. His work is exquisite.

    It's called capitalism.

    Lovely man, he is past most people's retirement age and was trying to make a living for his family.

    Hope you don't find that too offensive

    Roberta

  • February 17, 2009

    2:55 p.m.

    Triumph writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • February 17, 2009

    3:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HankReardon writes:

    Hey Roberta,
    I think you will find it easier to convince him to operate solely on the internet now. Considering the actual consquences, don't you agree?

  • February 17, 2009

    4:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    whatsupjay writes:

    I think the cops are barking up the wrong tree on this one, looking for a team of robbers who may or may not have had a getaway car. Who pulls off an armed robbery in front of a coffee shop in Parker in the middle of the day? And the random victim just happens to have $300K (or so he says) worth of jewelry on his person? How convenient for the "robbers." And what kind of an idiot has that much working capital tied up in actual inventory? The cops should definitely keep this guy on a short leash during the investigation. I smell insurance fraud all the way...

  • February 17, 2009

    5:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    johnson writes:

    DoubleA, Spot on.

  • February 17, 2009

    5:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rcamb writes:

    Someone on up there suggested that the internet would be a better place for the guy to sell his jewelry. All of his friends (of whom I'm one) have tried to convince him of that.

    Unfortunately, he loves and enjoys being around people and dogs. He's such an innocent and kind guy. One of his children told me today that his going out on his own days are done. Needs to be done.

    I appreciate the few of you who have understood that the world is not made up of scumbags.

    Roberta

  • February 17, 2009

    10:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RegLib writes:

    I sure hope my dog doesn't read this article. All I bought him was a plain leather collar.

  • February 18, 2009

    10:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    sweetater writes:

    300 k for dog jewlery. We are talking the little 4 legged creatures correct. Or was this Snoop Dogg's Collection?

  • February 20, 2009

    6:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Skyehag writes:

    I am sorry to hear about this. We know this man. He is a a hard working vendor. The dog show cluster in Denver last weekend was one of the largest shows in the country. There are many vendors there. Since it is open to the public, it is totally conceivable that some low life, seeing his display, decided that he could be an easy mark.

    These artists are a fixture at the large horse shows and dog shows around the world. This theft is no different than if robbers held up your local jeweler.